Crede admits facing Garland will be 'weird'

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Third baseman Joe Crede is going to have to alter his view tonight when the White Sox wrap up a four-game series against the Angels.

Jon Garland takes the mound for Los Angeles in his first regular-season start against the Sox.

"Playing behind Gar for all of those years, it'll be weird,'' Crede said. "He's a great pitcher. Good sinker, good slider, he keeps the ball down, so that's what we're expecting.''

On Monday, Garland said he'd approach the game like any other. Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is not so sure.

"Garland is going to be Garland,'' Guillen said "He's going to turn it up a notch. He doesn't want to lose to his teammates. That's a challenge for him.''

Garland is 4-3 with a 4.30 ERA in 8 starts with Los Angeles.

Do the math: The White Sox' offense has been erratic at best, but manager Ozzie Guillen isn't asking for any additions or subtractions.

"Look at the lineup,'' Guillen said. "Believe me, if we need something right away, (general manager) Kenny (Williams) will do it. But (Carlos) Quentin, we're not going to replace Quentin. (Nick) Swisher, we're not going to replace Swisher.

"I mean, the people we have there, I think it's good enough to win a championship. I mean, who is going to replace (Joe) Crede or (Jim) Thome? We have a good-hitting ballclub. They work hard every day.''

Plea for mercy: Manager Ozzie Guillen obviously wants the Sox to start hitting so they'll win more games.

But he has another reason.

"I just want to tell the players: 'Please start hitting before (hitting coach) Greg Walker is dead,' '' Guillen said. "He might kill himself seeing these guys take the at-bats they've been taking.

"No one takes it harder than Greg. I know it's not easy. You can teach so much and tell them so much, but when they go up there to hit, they are by themselves.''

For the most part, Guillen said he's coping with the Sox' poor hitting.

"I'm fine,'' Guillen said. "Sometimes it's boring managing a team that's not hitting. Maybe I'll get some popcorn and beer and go sit up in the stands.''